This and That

As I have said before, we arrive every weekend with a list of routine chores we need to do and some we've decided we want to do.  This week we did the routine and ran out of time for most of what we wanted to do.

First we headed to fill the deer feeder.  Although we haven't had any good pictures lately because of hunting season and the building noises, we still have the feeder running and there are lots of hoof prints around.  I think the last weekend of hunting season was at the end of December but some of the landowners who are working with the Texas Wildlife folks have extended hunting thru January.  As hunting season ends and more of the building noises are inside, I am hopeful of seeing more deer activity soon.

As we drove out through the Oak Grove, we saw some of yesterday's lingering snow fall.  I am well aware of the small amount of snow pictured.  All the Northerners who are reading are probably laughing their heads off.  But even the smallest amount of snow and ice can send Texans into both cries of "Yeah!" and those who drive, into turtles or crazed fiends.

We met with Emily who has agreed to help us with some decorating dilemmas.  Maybe with a third person involved, it will be easier for Peg and I to make decisions.

Progress continues on the house.

We are beginning to think about the logistics of moving in the next few months.  As I am the one who drives the U-Haul truck, my tummy is in a tailspin...

Scattered

Well it became very clear to me today that our approach to dealing with our farm chores is a "scattered" approach.  We never finish any task before we get involved with another.  Today's chore was clearing out some of the vines which are growing underneath our trees that manage to find a way into the tree's canopy eventually killing it by choking out all the light needed for the tree's leaves.  This is very problematic and widespread. 

We are happy to announce that we have managed to finally get a couple hands to help us on the farm.  These two souls first came to our attention as nail picker uppers.  We gave them their official worker gloves at a low key ceremony and set them to work.  One worker had considerable trouble figuring out where her thumbs and fingers went in her gloves, but after 30 minutes or so she was ready to get to work.

Progress is continuing on the house.  The plumber finally showed up this week and did most of his topping out chores.  While we were working, the HT/AC crew continued their work installing vents, lines, etc.  Most of the windows are in, although some need to be reordered because of some architectural challenges. 

 

 

Finally, you know it's home when you can see some of your special requests being installed.  The dogs were thrilled to see the doggie door hung!  Now they can come and go as they want.  We may be rethinking this special feature...

Choices

After a complaint from our neighbors of toilet paper blowing across their property, we had a Port-O-Can delivered to the construction site for the workers convenience.  So for the first time ever, we have "choices" of comfort stations.  I've made my choice...How do you choose?



                                                          Natural setting with comfort

 



Comfort with nasty setting

100% Natural setting

 

Peg continued to work on the mesquite...

 

 





I wanted to check out the work the neighbors had done clearing the brush from our communal fence line in anticipation of the new fence.  We are loosing so much privacy!  We are trying to figure out how to replace what we've lost and return to the natural feel with the privacy we enjoyed.

Took some pictures of the house

 

 

Living/Family Room

 

 



Looking from Living/Family toward Kitchen

 

Dining Room

 

Peg's Bedroom

 

Bon's Bedroom

 

After a successful nail picking up session the previous week, the picker-uppers were back to earn more money.  After disposing of the nails, it was G2 break time.

 

 



TJ, Emily, Evie, Cinco, Sam, Heather, Josie, and brother, Tim came by for a tour.  We love showing off our wonderful farm!  We put lots of "seeds" in their brains that we want them to visit when the house is finished. 

As we headed home, we encountered a cow with an age-old problem.  In this case, the grass truly is greener on the other side.

 

Pretty Day, Blustery Wind

The wind has very little to slow it down or block it in the country.  It was really blowing yesterday in anticipation of a very significant cold front.  We went about our chores, but were chilly when we rested as sweaty clothing quickly became cold.

Once again as we headed to the tank, Peg screamed, "Take a picture of the ducks!"  This time I did "capture" a duck for prosperity.

We continued to the Oak Grove to cut out some of the old barb wire.  Peg found several strands she believes are historic so we put them aside for future research.

Also went by the deer feeder and changed all of the game cam photo cards.  We have not had any luck with pictures lately so we are hoping to get lucky.

Of course the main reason we were at the farm was to check on the progress of the house.  See photos:

Then Ryan arrived with his "construction crew."  While the professionals checked the work to date, the "interns" gathered wayward nails for a price (1 cent per nail).  After finding an estimated 600 nails and trashing them, the group headed to the watering hole for a G-2 break. 

As we were getting ready to head home...  Was she thinking about future visits to the farm?

New Years Day 2014

Arrived at the farm and found the electrician working.  He had a few questions and we did our best to answer, though we referred him to Ryan as often as we could.  He was disappointed that the plumber and HTAC guys had not been working as promised.  He says it is easier on him if they are done when he starts.

Here is a picture of the house.  Notice that many of the windows have been installed, some siding, and the beginnings of the roof.
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An interesting side note: both dogs spent the time we were talking to the electrician, running in and out of the house.  They both ran up and down the stairs and generally had a very fun time entertaining themselves.  "They own the joint!"

Also spoke with our neighbors, the Smiths.  They were working on the east fence line clearing out brush and dead trees.  They want to replace all the fencing on the east side with new cross fencing.  We reiterated to them that we thought the existing fence was fine as it kept the cows in our pasture, in our pasture.  In any event, we said we would pay for half of the materials.  We did not offer anything else to them.  We are hoping they will come up with a plan with costs, etc. so we will know precisely what they are doing, the time table, etc.

As we approached the tank, Peg once again yelled, "Take a picture of the ducks!"  Well we know from a previous blog that taking a picture of the ducks as they "wing" off is not productive.  But thankfully this snowy egret stayed put so I could snap a quick picture.

The wind was manageable during the first part of the day, but later became very strong which affected the wind-chill temperature downward.  So we left early as it was hard to stay warm even when we were walking around.

Here is a picture of the house looking up from the pasture toward the northeast.